Heir to the Sundered Crown by Matthew Olney

soon.
    He now knew the assassins intent, they would keep him occupied long enough for the poison to take affect and they would watch him die a slow death or perhaps capture him… the realization struck him like a fist, the poison wasn’t intended to kill him, but paralyse him, he could feel the numbness spreading through his body, he had to escape and soon. Questions flashed into his mind. Where they trying to capture him and Alira? Had they been followed on the King’s road? Or were they here for some other nefarious purpose.
    Kaiden feinted high with his blade and rotated his wrists so that now his blade was ready for an upward slash to the assassins face. The assassin however moved to parry the cut and as he did so, Kaiden twisted again causing his sword to catch the assassin in the throat.
    Scarlet blood hit the corridor wall as the sword sliced clean through the attacker’s throat. The robed figure crumpling to the floor in a heap as blood continued to spurt from the wound.
    Kaiden leaned against the passageway wall, his breath now wheezing out of him. His whole face now felt numb and the sensation was spreading through his arms. He made to head for the staircase, but the now familiar figure of yet another assassin was cresting the top step. His dagger was drawn, looking for vengeance for his comrades’ deaths.
    Where was the towers security? Where were the mages?
    The large window was his only possible escape route; he was in no condition to take on another of these vicious killers. Steeling himself he ran as fast as he could at the window.
    With an ear piercing smash he went flying through the air, hoping that there would be something soft to cushion his fall.
    The fall felt like forever, and with a bone-jarring thud Kaiden hit the ground, fortunately landing on a hay basket that took most of the impact. His shoulder was dislocated but apart from that he was okay. Dragging himself to his feet he staggered away from the tower. He made it only a few paces before falling into unconsciousness.
    The last thing he heard was the cities alarm bells beginning to toll out in the night air. He had escaped…
    ***
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    12.
    The door to Thanos’s study burst open with an ear splitting cracking of wooden timbers. The alarm bells were tolling loudly outside the Arch tower and the sounds of frightened screams from the partygoers on the streets clawed at Luxon’s nerves. Whatever was happening outside the tower sounded like the entire void had been set free.
    Luxon and Alira were hiding behind Thanos’s desk. The sturdy crystalline surface was far stronger than it appeared and its opaque service offered them some semblance of cover. The girl was breathing hard, her nerves were frayed and if she was reacting like himself then her heart was pounding a mile a minute.
    Cautiously Luxon poked his head above the lip of the desk. His eyes widened as he saw a robed figure standing in the doorway. The material of the robe was the colour of fresh blood. The hood hid the person’s features, but it was clear as to their intention. In their hand was a vicious dagger and slung across their back was a lethal looking crossbow.
    Luxon ducked back down holding a finger to his lips to tell Alira to keep quiet. He could have kicked himself. He hadn’t been trained in combat magic’s, all he knew was basic tricks and... The levitation spell! The mages of the lowest ring like he was were only taught the most basic of spells. Things like illumination and basic healing; he’d give anything to be a higher mage with knowledge of the elemental combat magic’s such as Lightening or Flame.
    The robed figure stalked into the room, the creak of their leather boots the only sound coming from the assassin, Alira’s eyes widened in fear as she heard the killer creep closer to the desk. Luxon gestured for her to stay still.
    He closed his eyes and focused. He could feel a tingling sensation spread up his arm and power flow into